Real-time medical device visualization using nanomaterials

Abstract

A medical device and methods for locating the device include a structure having a length dimension and a surface (102). A volume (106) is associated with the surface and extends along a portion of the length dimension. Nanomaterials (108) are incorporated in the volume and configured to be responsive to an excitation signal such that the excitation signal generates a response from the nanomaterials to enable location of the structure within a subject.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A medical device configured for internal use within a subject, comprising:
 a structure having a length dimension and a surface; 
 a volume associated with the surface and extending along at least a portion of the length dimension; and 
 nanomaterials incorporated in the volume comprising at least one nanomaterial selected from the group consisting of nanotubes, nanorods, nanospheres, nanocages and quantum dots, said nanomaterials having specific absorption or scattering peaks at defined wavelengths, wherein the nanomaterials are configured to be responsive to at least one excitation signal such that the excitation signal generates an electromagnetic or acoustic signature response from the nanomaterials to enable location of the structure within an interior of the subject, 
 wherein the volume includes a tube forming an annular cavity relative to the surface, the annular cavity including the nanomaterials in suspension, and 
 further comprising an agitation mechanism in communication with the suspension to prevent the nanomaterials from settling. 
 
     
     
       2. A system for locating a medical device, comprising:
 a medical device configured for internal use within a subject, said medical device including nanomaterials incorporated therein, the nanomaterials being selected from the group consisting of nanotubes, nanorods, nanospheres, nanocages and quantum dots, said nanomaterials having specific absorption or scattering peaks at defined wavelengths, wherein the nanomaterials are configured to be responsive to at least one excitation signal to generate an electromagnetic or acoustic signature response; 
 an excitation source configured to generate the at least one excitation signal to generate the electromagnetic or acoustic signature response from the nanomaterials; 
 a sensor configured to receive the electromagnetic or acoustic signature response; and 
 an image processing module configured to render the medical device in a medical image using the received electromagnetic or acoustic signature response, 
 further comprising an agitation mechanism in communication with a suspension which includes the nanomaterials, the agitation mechanism to prevent the nanomaterials from settling. 
 
     
     
       3. A method for locating a medical device, comprising:
 providing a medical device configured for internal use within a subject, said medical device having nanomaterials incorporated therein, the nanomaterials selected from the group consisting of nanotubes, nanorods, nanospheres, nanocages and quantum dots, said nanomaterials having specific absorption or scattering peaks at defined wavelengths, wherein the nanomaterials are configured to be responsive to at least one excitation signal such that the excitation signal generates an electromagnetic or acoustic signature response from the nanomaterials; 
 exciting the nanomaterials using the at least one excitation signal to generate the electromagnetic or acoustic signature response from the nanomaterials; 
 sensing the electromagnetic or acoustic signature response from the nanomaterials; and 
 processing the sensed electromagnetic or acoustic signature response from the nanomaterials to locate the medical device in relation to a medical image, 
 further comprising agitating nanomaterials incorporated in the medical device as a suspension including the nanomaterials to prevent the nanomaterials from settling. 
 
     
     
       4. A method for generating an image of a medical device configured for internal use within a subject, comprising:
 exciting nanomaterials included in a medical device using a first electromagnetic frequency of excitation for the nanomaterials to obtain a first imagable response, the first imagable response being detectable over surrounding materials; 
 exciting the nanomaterials included in the medical device using a second electromagnetic frequency of excitation for the nanomaterials to obtain a second imagable response which includes a realizable difference from the first imagable response, the second imagable response being detectable over the surrounding materials; 
 subtracting the first imagable response from the second imagable response to provide an image of the medical device relative to a subject. 
 
     
     
       5. The method as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the medical device has nanomaterials incorporated by at least one of a solid layer formed on the medical device; in suspension in an annular cavity formed relative to a device wall of the medical device; or in suspension in a tube formed longitudinally along a device wall of the medical device. 
     
     
       6. The method as recited in  claim 4 , further comprising agitating nanomaterials incorporated in the medical device as a suspension including the nanomaterials to prevent the nanomaterials from settling. 
     
     
       7. The method as recited in  claim 4 , further comprising digitally generating an image of the medical device in a medical image. 
     
     
       8. A medical device configured for internal use within a subject, comprising:
 a structure having a length dimension and a surface; 
 a volume associated with the surface and extending along at least a portion of the length dimension; 
 nanomaterials included in the volume in suspension, the nanomaterials configured to be responsive to at least one excitation signal such that the excitation signal generates a response from the nanomaterials to enable location of the structure within an interior of the subject; and 
 an agitation mechanism in communication with the suspension to prevent the nanomaterials from settling. 
 
     
     
       9. A system for locating a medical device, comprising,
 a medical device configured for internal use within a subject, said medical device including nanomaterials in suspension incorporated therein, the nanomaterials being configured to be responsive to at least one excitation signal; 
 an agitation mechanism in communication with the suspension to prevent the nanomaterials from settling; 
 an excitation source configured to generate the at least one excitation signal to generate response emissions from the nanomaterials; 
 a sensor configured to receive the response emissions; and 
 an image processing module configured to render the medical device in a medical image using the response emissions. 
 
     
     
       10. A method for locating a medical device, comprising:
 providing a medical device configured for internal use within a subject, said medical device having nanomaterials in suspension incorporated therein, the nanomaterials being configured to be responsive to at least one excitation signal; 
 agitating the nanomaterials to prevent the nanomaterials from settling; 
 exciting the nanomaterials using the at least one excitation signal to generate response emissions from the nanomaterials; 
 sensing the response emissions; and 
 processing the response emissions to locate the medical device in relation to a medical image.